ABAI will regulate imports and exports of plants and animals, as well as their inter-state movement. Imports and exports of plants and animals shall only be allowed if they are issued permits by the respective authority in the originating country or by ABAI, respectively.

ABAI will also conduct surveillance of pests and diseases in the country, undertake pest risk analysis, and interact with research institutes and state governments on plant and animal protection.

ABAI may notify quarantine pests. It may also declare an area as a controlled area if it is suspected of being infested with pests. It shall communicate the measures to be taken by the state government.

If a state government fails to take the required measures, ABAI can take necessary steps to eradicate or contain a quarantine pest in a controlled area. The state government shall reimburse ABAI with the costs incurred for such purposes.

The central government may declare a biosecurity emergency on the recommendation of ABAI in case of a pest or disease outbreak.

ABAI shall discharge international obligations under various international trade, sanitary and phytosanitary agreements.

Key Issues and Analysis

Currently, import, export, quarantine, and the inter-state spread of plant and animal diseases are regulated by various entities under different laws. These functions will be subsumed under the proposed ABAI.

Other countries have established biosecurity systems similar to the one proposed under the Bill. Most of them have established national authorities that regulate imports, exports, quarantine and inter-state movement of plants and animals.

The Standing Committee examining the Bill recommended a higher representation of states in ABAI. It also recommended removing the requirement for states to reimburse ABAI for measures taken by it to contain a quarantine pest or disease.